Thermostatically controlled lubricator



Dec. 29, 1942. T OjsMn-H 2,306,761

THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED LUBRI'CATOR v Filed March ll, 1941 Patented Dec. 29, 1942 murenv sTATEs .l

.'FFICE THERMOSTATICALLY CONTEOLLED LUBRICATOR 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a thermostatically controlled lubricator designed for feeding chemicals and other. fluids into oil lines or wells in oil elds.

It is a fact well known to those skilled in the art that chemicals or other liquids used fortreating oils in the fields become thicker or more viscous during the coldest part of the day or night than at other times and when they thus thicken, the amount of treating material delivered by the controlling means becomes reduced or stops entirely with the result that the oil under treatment goes into storage without the required amount of chemical, thereby causing the B. S. and water content to rise above pipe-line specifications. Consequently a considerable loss of space and time results. Furthermore if the decrease in delivery of feeding material ,is noted, considerable time usually is required in order to readjust the valve, thereby causing a further expense.

An object of the present invention is to provide a valve which is controlled by a thermostat, so that when the temperature falls below a predetermined degree, the valve will be proportionately opened and, when the temperature rises, the valve will be proportionately moved toward its closed position, this action resulting in an even delivery of the treating fluid in spite of temperature changes.

A further object is to provide a structure of this character which can either be built into a feeding apparatus or can be made as a unit for installation in different types of feeding apparatus.

A further object is to provide a valve which can be adjusted quickly and readily and which has a Valve seat constantly visible so that the operator can readily determine whether the proper amount of treating material is being delivered.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts Without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing Figure 1 is a central vertical transvers section through the apparatus, the valve stem and its thermostat being shown in elevation.

Figure 2 is a View partly in side elevation and partly in section showing the structure illustrated in Figure 1, the parts being broken away.

Figure 3 is a top plan View.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4, Figure l.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, I designates the body of the structure having a nipple 2 at one end for threaded engagement with a pipe or the like into whichr the treating material is to be delivered. This body I has an outlet opening 3 extending through that end from which the nipple 2 projects and the body is counterbored as atV 4 to provide a seat 5 on which is located a gasket 6. Thisgasket constitutes a seat for the lower end of a transparent tubular lining 'l formed preferably of glass and extending across and serving to close a sight'opening 8 formed in the body I. 9 is mounted on the upper end of the lining l and is engaged by an annular shoulder I0 surrounding a nozzle II which extends from one end of a nozzle body I2. This body has a reduced threaded portion I3 which is in engagement with and seated in one end of body I and, when tightened, serves to press the gasket 9 firmly against the lining 'I and to hold the lining pressed firmly against the gasket 6. The nozzle body I2 has an intake chamber I4 provided with an inlet port I5 to which is extended a feed tube I6 adapted to conduct the treating iiuid to the chamber I4 from any suitable source. It will be noted that both the body I and the nozzle body I2 are provided with angular portions I1 and I8 whereby they may be vgripped and properly held by a wrench used for the purpose of assembling or disconnecting the parts,

The chamber I4 has the inner surface of its wall screw-threaded as at I9 for engagement with a threaded plug 2 extending downwardly from a bracket 2I. This plug has an opening 22 extending therethrough which is normally closed by a removable stuiling box 24 which serves to guide a Valve stem 25. This valve stern extends diametrically through the chamber I4 and the opening 23 and also within an outlet passage 26 provided in the nozzle II and its body I2, there being a seat 2l within the nozzle near the outlet end thereof adapted to be engaged by the tapered end 28 of the stem, said end thus constituting a valve whereby the flow of fluid past the seat can be controlled.

The bracket 2| has spaced cross-members 29 and 3l) and secured in the member 30 by means of nuts 3l, is a stem 32 extending from the center of 'a thermostat 33 of that type formed of A gasket.

one or more expansible diaphragms. A sleeve 3d is extended from the center of the opposite side of the thermostat and is adjustably engaged by the screw-threaded end 35 of the rod 25.

The threaded portion of rod 25 is adapted to slide within an opening 36 in the cross-member 29 and it carries, below member 29, a. stop nut 3l while another stop nut 38 is carried by that portion of the rod above member 29. A lock nut 39 can be mounted on the rod for the purpose of holding the nut 38 against displacement after it has been adjusted.

A slide 4D is mounted on member 29 and has inturned ngers 4l at its ends which straddle the adjacent edges of member 29 so that the slide thus will be guided when moved longitudinally of the member. In the slide there is provided 'a keyhole slot 42 the large end of which is of such diameter as to permit the lower end of nut 33 to rest therein and on the member 29. By shifting the slide away from the position shown in Figure 1, however, the nut, which is tapered, will be lifted by the slide so as to rest thereon.

With nut 38 out of contact with the member 29, stem 25 can be adjusted longitudinally relative to the thermostat by screwing it into or out of sleeve S4 so as to leave an opening at the seat 21 of such size as to allow the treating fluid to be delivered in desired quantities. The amount delivered can be determined readily by looking through the window 8. At this time the valve is of course supported by the thermostat.

Obviously treating material owing into the structure irom pipe i6 to chamber I4 will be delivered downwardly into the opening 3. As the temperature falls following the adjustment, the thermostat will cause the valve 23 to move a greater distance from its seat 21 so that the treating fluid, which thickens when cooled, will still be able to ilow from the nozzle with sufficient volume to meet the requirements. Should the temperature rise, the action would be reversed, the valve moving closer to the seat so as to cut down the flow of the thinned liquid.

Obviously adjustment of the parts can be effected readily by the means shown at 35, 38 and 39 and, should it be desired to lock the valve in either open or closed position, the nuts 31 and 38 can be adjusted relative to each other and to the member 29. By interposing the slide 40 between nut 38 and member 29 so that the nut cannot come against member 29, the valve will be prevented from completely closing under the action of the thermostat. By moving the slide to the position shown in Figure 1, however, and as shown by full lines in Figure 4, the nut can enter the large end of the slot 42 and thus allow the valve to completely close against its seat under the action of the thermostat.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination with a body having an outlet for delivering treatment fluid to a pipeline or the like and also having a sight opening, of a nozzle supported by and opening into said body, a valve positioned to close the nozzle, means for directing treatment uid into the nozzle, a thermostat controlled by the temperature of the atmosphere, an adjustable connection between the thermostat and the valve, and adjustable means for limiting the movement of the valve under the action of the thermostat, said means including a cross-member fiXedly mounted relative to the valve, opposed stop devices adjustably connected to the valve with the member extended between them, and a slide mounted on the member and shiftable between and relative to the stop devices.

2. The combination with a body having an outlet for delivering treatment uid to a pipeline or the like, of a nozzle supported by and opening into said body, a valve positioned to close the nozzle, means for directing treatment iluid into the nozzle, an expansible diaphragm controlled by the temperature of the atmosphere and constituting a thermostat, an adjustable connection between the thermostat and the valve, said connection, diaphragm and valve being coaxial, and adjustable means for limiting the movement of the valve under the action of the thermostat, said means including a cross-memberxedly mounted relative to the valve, opposed stop devices adjustably connected to the valve with the member extended between them. and a slide mounted on the member and shiftable between and relative to the stop devices.

THOMAS O. SMITH. 

